EP1077360A1
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Optical coherent tomography apparatus, fiberoptic lateral scanner and method for studying biological tissues in vivo
Assignee: Imalux Corp
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Filing: 1999-02-09
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Granted: —
•
Expires: 2019-02-09
Abstract
Abstract The present invention pertains to the analysis of the internal structures of objects using optical means. This invention more precisely relates to an optical coherent tomography apparatus as well as to a fiberoptic lateral scanner which is part of said apparatus and which is used in the composition of a fiberoptic probe. This invention also relates to a method for studying biological tissues in vivo , wherein said method is used for diagnosing the tissues studied according to the condition of the base membrane. To this end, an interferometer includes a measuring shoulder that comprises the lateral scanner. The mobile part of the scanner is made in the shape of a current conductor (19) surrounding the magnetic system in the region of one of its poles (25) and also includes an optical fibre (13) which is rigidly attached to the conductor (19) and which is used as a resilient bracket, thus enabling the miniaturisation of the fiberoptic probe. The magnetic system is made in the shape of two permanent magnets (22, 28) which are aligned at their analogous poles (25, 29), while the optical fibre (13) is arranged in a through-opening defined by grooves that face each other and are formed in said permanent magnets (22, 28) on the side of the aligned poles. This system optimises the structure of the fiberoptic probe while limiting the dimensions of the probe housing. The fiberoptic probe is placed in the distal end of the instrument channel of an endoscope or borescope. This apparatus can thus be used for studying biological tissues in vivo and for carrying out a non-invasive diagnosis thereof according to the condition of the base membrane (46).
Inventors
- 👤 Valentin Mikhailovich Gelikonov
- 👤 Natalya Dorofeevna Gladkova
- 👤 Alexandr Mihailovich Sergeev
- 👤 Nataliya Mikhailovna Shakhova
- 👤 Felix Isaakovich Feldshtein
- 👤 Grigory Valentinovitch Gelikonov
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 21:08
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/68; A61B5/6846; A61B5/6847; A61B5/6852; A61B1/00; A61B1/00064; A61B1/00071; A61B1/0008; A61B1/00096; A61B1/00163; A61B1/00172; A61B1/00174; A61B1/00177; A61B1/00183; A61B1/005; A61B5/0059; A61B5/0062; A61B5/0066; G; G01; G01B; G01B9/00; G01B9/02; G01B9/02001; G01B9/02002; G01B9/02049; G01B9/0205; G01B9/0209; G01B9/02091; G01B9/04; G02; G02B; G02B26/00; G02B26/08; G02B26/10; G01B2290/00; G01B2290/65
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 50
Claim 1
Independent Claim
310 words
An apparatus for optical coherence tomography comprising a low coherent light
source (1) and an optical fiber interferometer (2), the latter including a beam-splitter
(3), a
sampling (4) and reference (5) optical fiber arms, and a photodetector (6), which are mutually
optically coupled, a data processing and displaying unit (7), the output of said photodetector (6)
being connected with said data processing and displaying unit (7), and a source of control
voltage, at least one of said arms comprising an in-depth scanner (10) having a capability of
changing the optical length of said arm by at least several tens of operating wavelengths of light
source (1), and sampling arm (4) being provided with an optical fiber probe (8) having an
elongated body (11) with a throughhole (12) extending therethrough, an optical fiber (13)
extending through the throughhole (12), a distal part (14) of optical fiber (13) being arranged to
allow for deflection in the direction approximately perpendicular to its own axis, and a lateral
scanner (15) comprising a stationary part and a moving part, the stationary part being
mechanically connected with body (11) of probe (8) and including a bearing support (16), a
magnetic system (17) and a lens system (18), the end face (21) of distal part (14) of optical fiber
(13) being optically coupled with lens system (18), said lateral scanner (15) being connected
with said source of control voltage, whereas the output of said data processing and displaying
unit (7) of optical fiber interferometer (2) is the output of the apparatus for optical coherence
tomography, characterized in that a part of sampling arm (4) of optical fiber interferometer (2)
is made flexible with a capability of being introduced into an instrumental channel of an
endoscope or borescope, whereas optical fiber probe (8) is designed miniature to provide for
being located at the distal end of said channel.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
137 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the moving part of lateral
scanner (15) comprises a current conductor (19) and said optical fiber (13), which is rigidly
fastened to current conductor (19), said optical fiber (13) serving as a flexible cantilever, its
proximal part (20) being fixedly attached to bearing support (16), whereas said current
conductor (19) is arranged as at least one loop (24), which envelopes said magnetic system (17)
in the area of one of its poles, and a part of optical fiber (13) is placed in the area of said pole of
magnetic system (17), the plane of said loop (24) of current conductor (19) being approximately
perpendicular to the direction between the poles of magnetic system (17), and said current
conductor (19) being connected with the source of control voltage.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that magnetic system (17)
includes a first permanent magnet (22).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
43 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that first permanent magnet (22)
is provided with a groove (23) extensive in the direction approximately parallel to the axis of
optical fiber (13), said optical fiber (13) being placed into said groove (23).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
58 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that the magnetic system (17)
additionally comprises a second permanent magnet (28) with one pole (29) facing the analogous
pole (25) of first permanent magnet (22), which is enveloped by current conductor (19),
whereas said pole (29) of second permanent magnet (28) is located near to optical fiber (13).
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that the second permanent
magnet (28) is provided with a groove extensive in the direction approximately parallel to the
axis of optical fiber (13).
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
67 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that the first (22) and second (28)
permanent magnets are aligned at their analogous poles, whereas optical fiber (13) is placed into
a throughhole (30) extending therethrough in a direction approximately parallel to the axis of
optical fiber (13), the throughhole being formed by facing grooves made in said analogous
poles (25, 29) of permanent magnets (22, 28).
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that current conductor (19)
envelopes additionally said second permanent magnet (28).
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
46 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, or in claim 2, or in claim 3, or in claim 4, or in
claim 5, or in claim 6, or in claim 7, or in claim 8, characterized in that magnetic system (17) is
shaped as a parallelepiped.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
69 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, or in claim 2, or in claim 3, or in claim 4, or in
claim 5, or in claim 6, or in claim 7, or in claim 8, or in claim 9, characterized in that an output
window (31) of optical fiber probe (8) is arranged near the image plane of end face (21) of distal
part (14) of optical fiber (13).
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
34 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 10, characterized in that the outer surface of output
window (31) of optical fiber probe (8) is located at the front boundary of a zone of sharp
imaging.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 10 or claim 11, characterized in that output
window (31) of optical fiber probe (8) is made as a plane-parallel plate (32).
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
46 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 12, characterized in that a first prism, with at least
one operating surface made antireflection coated, is additionally installed in said longitudinal
throughhole (12) in body (11) of optical fiber probe (8) between lens system (18) and plane-parallel
plate (32).
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 10 or in claim 11, characterized in that output
window (31) of optical fiber probe (8) is made as a second prism (33).
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
37 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 10 or in claim 11, or in claim 12, or in claim 13, or
in claim 14, characterized in that output window (31) of optical fiber probe (8) is hermetically
closed.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
82 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or in claim 2, or in claim 3, or in claim 4, or in
claim 5, or in claim 6, or in claim 7, or in claim 8, or in claim 9, or in claim 10, or in claim 11,
or in claim 12, or in claim 13, or in claim 14, or in claim 15, characterized in that said source of
control current is placed outside said body (11) of optical fiber probe (8).
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
88 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or in claim 2, or in claim 3, or in claim 4, or in
claim 5, or in claim 6, or in claim 7, or in claim 8, or in claim 9, or in claim 10, or in claim11,
or in claim 12, or in claim 13, or in claim 14, or in claim 15, characterized in that said source of
control current is placed inside said body (11) of optical fiber probe (8) and is designed as a
photoelectric converter.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
88 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or in claim 2, or in claim 3 or in claim 4, or in
claim 5, or in claim 6, or in claim 7, or in claim 8, or in claim 9, or in claim 10, or in claim 11,
or in claim 12, or in claim 13 or in claim 14 or in claim 15, or in claim 16, or in claim 17,
characterized in that said body (11) of optical fiber probe (8) is made as a hollow cylinder.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
82 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or in claim 2, or in claim 3, or in claim 4, or in
claim 5, or in claim 6, or in claim 7, or in claim 8, or in claim 9,or in claim 10, or in claim 11, or
in claim 12, or in claim 13, or in claim 14, or in claim 15, or in claim 16, or in claim 17, or in
claim 18, characterized in that optical fiber (13) is anizotropic.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
87 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or in claim 2, or in claim 3, or in claim 4, or in
claim 5, or in claim 6, or in claim 7, or in claim 8, or in claim 9, or in claim 10, or in claim 11,
or in claim 12, or in claim 13, or in claim 14, or in claim 15, or in claim 16, or in claim 17, or in
claim 18, or in claim 19, characterized in that optical fiber (13) is single-mode.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
126 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or in claim 2, or in claim 3, or in claim 4, or in
claim 5, or in claim 6, or in claim 7, or in claim 8, or in claim 9,or in claim 10, or in claim 11, or
in claim 12, or in claim 13, or in claim 14, or in claim 15, or in claim 16, or in claim 17, or in
claim 18, or in claim 19, or in claim 20, characterized in that a part of sampling arm (4) of
interferometer (2), including the part being introduced into an instrumental channel of an
endoscope or borescope, is made changeable and is connected by a detachable connection with
the main part of sampling arm (4).
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 21, characterized in that said changeable part of
sampling arm (4) of interferometer (2) is made disposable.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
106 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or in claim 2, or in claim 3, or in claim 4, or in
claim 5, or in claim 6, or in claim 7, or in claim 8, or in claim 9,or in claim 10, or in claim 11, or
in claim 12, or in claim 13, or in claim 14, or in claim 15, or in claim 16, or in claim 17, or in
claim 18, or in claim 19, or in claim 20, or in claim 21, or in claim 22, characterized in that the
distal part of optical fiber probe (8) is made with changeable tips.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
202 words
An optical fiber lateral scanner (15) including a stationary part and a moving part,
said stationary part comprising a bearing support (16) and a magnetic system (17), which
includes a first permanent magnet (22) and a lens system (18), said moving part including a
movable current conductor (19) and an optical fiber (13), said optical fiber (13) being rigidly
fastened to current conductor (19) and being fixedly attached to said bearing support (16) serves
as a flexible cantilever, the distal part (14) of optical fiber (13) allowing for being deflected in a
direction approximately perpendicular to its own axis, the end face of distal part (14) of optical
fiber (13) being optically coupled with lens system (18), whereas current conductor (19) is
connected with a source of control current, characterized in that current conductor (19) is made
as at least one loop (24), which envelopes first permanent magnet (22) in the area of one of its
poles (25), a part of optical fiber (13) being located in the area of said pole (25) of first
permanent magnet (22), whereas the plane of loop (24) of current conductor (19) is
approximately perpendicular to the direction between the poles of first permanent magnet (22).
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
47 words
An optical fiber lateral scanner (15) as claimed in claim 24, characterized in that first
permanent magnet (22) is provided with a groove (23) extensive in a direction approximately
parallel to the axis of optical fiber (13), whereas optical fiber (13) is placed in said groove (23).
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
60 words
An optical fiber lateral scanner (15) as claimed in claim 24, characterized in that
magnetic system (17) additionally comprises a second permanent magnet (28) with one pole
(29) facing an analogous pole (29) of first permanent magnet (22), which is enveloped by
current conductor (19), said pole (29) of second permanent magnet (28) being located near to
optical fiber (13).
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
74 words
An optical fiber lateral scanner (15) as claimed in claim 26, characterized in that
permanent magnets (22) and (28) are aligned at their analogous poles (25) and (29), whereas
optical fiber (13) is placed into a throughhole (30) extending therethrough in a direction
approximately parallel to the axis of optical fiber (13), said throughhole being formed by the
facing grooves made in said analogous poles (25) and (29) of permanent magnets (22) and (28).
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
24 words
An optical fiber lateral scanner (15) as claimed in claim 27, characterized in that
current conductor (19) envelopes additionally the second permanent magnet (28).
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
39 words
An optical fiber lateral scanner (15) as claimed in claim 24 or in claim 25, or in
claim 26, or in claim 27, or in claim 28, characterized in that said magnetic system (17) is
shaped as a parallelepiped.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
108 words
An optical fiber lateral scanner (15) as claimed in claim 24 or in claim 25, or in
claim 26, or in claim 27, or in claim 28, or in claim 29, characterized in that optical fiber (13),
bearing support (16), magnetic system (17) and lens system (18) are elements of an optical fiber
probe (8) incorporated into an optical fiber interferometer (2), and are encased into an elongated
body (11) with a throughhole (12) extending therethrough, said optical fiber (13) extending
through the throughhole (12), whereas said bearing support (16), magnetic system (17) and lens
system (18) are mechanically connected with body (11) of optical fiber probe (8).
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
23 words
An optical fiber lateral scanner (15) as claimed in claim 30, characterized in that said
body (11) is made as a hollow cylinder.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
47 words
An optical fiber lateral scanner (15) as claimed in claim 30 or in claim 31,
characterized in that an output window (31) of optical fiber probe (8) is located near the image
plane (31) of end face (21) of said distal part (14) of optical fiber (13).
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
38 words
An optical fiber lateral scanner (15) as claimed in claim 32, characterized in that the
outer surface of output window (31) of optical fiber probe (8) is placed at the front boundary of
a zone of sharp imaging.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
34 words
An optical fiber lateral scanner (15) as claimed in claim 32 or in claim 33,
characterized in that the output window (31) of optical fiber probe (8) is arranged as a plane-parallel
plate (32).
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
46 words
An optical fiber lateral scanner (15) as claimed in claim 34, characterized in that the
operating sides of plane-parallel plate (32) are cut at an angle equal to several degrees relative to
the direction of propagation of an optical radiation beam incident on output window (31).
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
29 words
An optical fiber lateral scanner (15) as claimed in claim 34 or in claim 35,
characterized in that the inner surface of plane-parallel plate (32) is made antireflection coated.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
60 words
An optical fiber lateral scanner (15) as claimed in claim 34 or in claim 35, or in
claim 36, characterized in that a first prism is additionally installed in the longitudinal
throughhole in the body (11) of optical fiber probe (8) between lens system (18) and plane-parallel
plate (31), at least one operating surface of said prism being antireflection coated.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
34 words
An optical fiber lateral scanner (15) as claimed in claim 32 or in claim 33,
characterized in that the output window (31) of optical fiber probe (8) is arranged as a second
prism (33).
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
25 words
An optical fiber lateral scanner (15) as claimed in claim 38, characterized in that the
inner surface of second prism (33) is made antireflection coated.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
54 words
An optical fiber lateral scanner (15) as claimed in claim 32 or in claim 33, or in
claim 34, or in claim 35, or in claim 36, or in claim 37, or in claim 38, or in claim 39,
characterized in that said output window (31) of optical fiber probe (8) is hermetically closed.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
113 words
An optical fiber lateral scanner (15) as claimed claim 24 or in claim 25, or in claim
26, or in claim 27, or in claim 28, or in claim 29, or in claim 30, or in claim 31, or in claim 32,
or in claim 33, or in claim 34, or in claim 35, or in claim 36, or in claim 37, or in claim 38, or in
claim 39, or in claim 40, characterized in that bearing support (16) is located in the proximal
part of longitudinal throughhole (12) in the body (11) of optical fiber probe (8), the proximal
part (20) of optical fiber (13) being fastened to bearing support (16).
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
33 words
An optical fiber lateral scanner (15) as claimed in claim 41, characterized in that said
current conductor (19) is connected with a source of control current via electrodes attached to
bearing support (16).
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
90 words
An optical fiber lateral scanner (15) as claimed claim 24 or in claim 25, or in claim
26, or in claim 27, or in claim 28, or in claim 29, or in claim 30, or in claim 31, or in claim 32,
or in claim 33, or in claim 34, or in claim 35, or in claim 36, or in claim 37, or in claim 38, or in
claim 39, or in claim 40, or in claim 41, or in claim 42, characterized in that optical fiber (13) is
anizotropic.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
94 words
An optical fiber lateral scanner (15) as claimed claim 24 or in claim 25, or in claim
26, or in claim 27, or in claim 28, or in claim 29, or in claim 30, or in claim 31, or in claim 32,
or in claim 33, or in claim 34, or in claim 35, or in claim 36, or in claim 37, or in claim 38, or in
claim 39, or in claim 40, or in claim 41, or in claim 42, or in claim 43, characterized in that
optical fiber (13) is single-mode.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
100 words
An optical fiber lateral scanner (15) as claimed claim 24 or in claim 25, or in claim
26, or in claim 27, or in claim 28, or in claim 29, or in claim 30, or in claim 31, or in claim 32,
or in claim 33, or in claim 34, or in claim 35, or in claim 36, or in claim 37, or in claim 38, or in
claim 39, or in claim 40, or in claim 41, or in claim 42, or in claim 43, or in claim 44,
characterized in that optical fiber probe (8) is made disposable.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
110 words
An optical fiber lateral scanner (15) as claimed claim 24 or in claim 25, or in claim
26, or in claim 27, or in claim 28, or in claim 29, or in claim 30, or in claim 31, or in claim 32,
or in claim 33, or in claim 34, or in claim 35, or in claim 36, or in claim 37, or in claim 38, or in
claim 39, or in claim 40, or in claim 41, or in claim 42, or in claim 43, or in claim 44, or in
claim 45, characterized in that the distal part of optical fiber probe (8) is made with changeable
tips.
Claim 47
Independent Claim
119 words
A method for diagnostics of biological tissue in vivo comprising the steps of
directing an optical beam in the visible or near IR range towards a biological tissue under study
and acquiring subsequently an image of said biological tissue by visualizing the intensity of
optical radiation backscattered by said biological tissue under study to use said image for
diagnostic purpose, characterized in that the biological tissue under study is a biological tissue
covered with epithelium (45), and identifying the basal membrane (46) of said biological tissue,
which separates said epithelium (45) from an underlying stroma (47), in the acquired image,
and performing diagnostics of said biological tissue under study on basis of the state of said
basal membrane (46).
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
96 words
A method as claimed in claim 47, characterized in that said biological tissue is the
biological tissue lining the surfaces of human cavities and internal organs, and when performing
the step of directing an optical beam towards said biological tissue, a miniature optical fiber
probe (8) is inserted into a human cavity under study, through which said beam of optical
radiation is transmitted from a proximal end of said probe (8) to its distal end, whereas scanning
of said beam of optical radiation is performed over the surface under study in compliance with a
predetermined rule.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method as claimed in claim 48, characterized in that in order to insert the
miniature optical fiber probe (8) into said human cavity, said probe (8) is placed into an
instrumental channel of an endoscope.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
154 words
A method as claimed in claim 47 or in claim 48, or in claim 49, characterized in that
a low coherent optical radiation beam is used as an optical radiation beam, said low coherent
optical radiation beam being split into two beams, one beam being directed towards said
biological tissue, which is the first beam, and the other, second beam, being directed to a
reference mirror (9), changing therewith the difference in the optical lengths of the optical paths
for the first and the second optical radiation beams by at least several tens of wavelengths of
optical radiation in compliance with a predetermined rule; and combining radiation
backscattered from said biological tissue with radiation reflected from said reference mirror (9),
whereas a signal of interference modulation of intensity of the optical radiation, which is a
result of said combining, is used to visualize the intensity of the optical radiation backscattered
from said biological tissue.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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